New York State

Ernie Briefel played a tremendous role in the wholesaling of musical instruments in New York City, beginning in the 1950s. His understanding of the business and close partnerships have resulted in creative innovations, the establishment of brands, the growth of markets and accessibility to in-demand instruments. While interviewing Ernie, it is clear that the friendships he developed along the way have truly been a key factor not only in his success but also in the enjoyment he has found within the music products industry over his long career.  

Robert Bromberg has had a long career in the music products industry, as did his father. In fact, his father designed the mirror piano, which helped keep the industry alive during World War II by addeing mirrors to used pianos to make them more sellable as all-new pianos were not being made during the war. Robert’s long career includes working with his father in retail as well as creating the manufacturing process for the Guild Guitars in the 1950s into the 1970s. In more recent years Robert has been working with Hap Kuffner and Rob Turner at EMG Pick Ups, adding his insight to the company. 

Bruce Bush cut his teeth in the industry as a music retailer. Just out of college he managed the print music department of Onondaga Music Service in Syracruse, New York. He later owned the store before deciding to take on the role of sales manager for Hal Leonard. A long-time advocate for music publishing, Bruce had a role in growing the sales and marketing efforts at Hal Leonard especially as it regards educational materials such as method and practice books. Bruce has been able to build meaningful relationships with dealer customers with his passion and understanding for the retailer’s role in the industry.

Lou Capece began selling musical products in the 1960s and has since become one of the industry’s largest musical instrument wholesale distributors. One of the successes of the company has been the development of their self-branded instruments with names well known around the world today, such as Oxford, DiPalo and New York Pro. After a long and successful career as a guitarist, Lou began selling accessories and instruments to his friends and fellow musicians. Soon the company grew enough that Lou could work full time for the wholesale business and travel less, making it possible for him to stay at home with his young family much more.

Tom Catalano opened his music retail store in New Hyde Park, NY after years of teaching and playing guitar professionally. In fact, he was being paid to play guitar professionally while still a teenager. Opening in 1961, Catalano Music became a powerhouse for band instruments sales and a popular center for sheet music, particularly those included in the New York School System’s curriculum.

John Connolly established the Connolly Music Company (originally Connolly & Co., Inc.) back in 1970. Best known for distributing such brands as Thomastik-Infeld and König & Meyer, the company remains a family owned enterprise, with John's son, Jake, now at the helm. In 1954 John was hired by William Gratz as general manager of his wholesale business, which distributed products such as Hofner, Paesold, Bohm & Meinl, Kohlert, and Thomastik-Infeld. The company was sold to John after Mr. Gratz’ passing in the 1960s. He later decided to form his own company, Connolly Music, in 1969 with a focus on the string industry since at that time Thomastik-Infeld had just developed the world's first synthetic string. 

Jon Haber is the president of Alto Music in Middletown, New York. Jon grew up in New York and as a kid would go into Alto Music, which he later bought and expanded to include sales in their store as well as on the Internet. In 2006, when Jon was asked by American Express to appear in one of their TV ads to showcase the services the company provides its customers, the ads helped make Jon and Alto Music well known and has increased his store and web business.
 

Stanley Jay has always admired rare and special fretted musical instrument, so it came as no surprise when he and his friend, Haf Kuffner, opened a guitar shop on Staten Island in New York. They named the store the Mandolin Brothers. Over the years the store has become a hub for vintage instruments and Stanley has become a world-renowned expert of all things related to fretted instruments.  

John Keal was one of the very few who attended the Conn band instrument repair school in Elkhart, enrolling in the school just after World War II. The program only lasted a few years, but it provided the passion he was missing as a salesman outside the music industry. He returned to his father’s small music shop, which was located just three blocks from the Capitol in Albany, New York. This shop is where he built up the band instrument department with service, repairs and rentals.  For years he worked to provided services directly to the school band director.  John passed away in June 2010.  Today, the John Keal Music store still serves the schools in the area and continues to grow.

Al Marinaro has helped define the role of the independent rep in the music products industry for over 40 years. Al’s passion for music and the industry has played a critical part in his quest to raise the bar for customer service and attention to the details that matter most to the musician who makes the purchase. Along the way Al has assisted others who have needed help and advice in the ever changing field of independent rep’ing and has done so with the highest respect to the industry he has come to serve.